Remembering 9/11...

Today is 9/11, it is a day this nation will NEVER, EVER forget. Like those who remember where they were when the attack at Pearl Harbor happened, I know that there is not any one of us who does not remember where we were when this attack happened. Like FDR stated in his famous radio address during WWII, "...this is a day that will live in infamy...". It will, we as Americans have become resilient, we have shown the world that while we are a "melting pot" we are AMERICANS, we fly one flag, we support and defend the constitution of the United States of America, and WE LOVE OUR COUNTRY. 


In know I will never forget where I was, how I felt, how I watched as the second plane hit the second tower. How when I went home I tried calling my cousin who worked for the WTC Properties, but could not reach him, we finally found out a few hours later he was not in the building, thank God. I watched as firefighters, police officers, rushed in while everyone else was rushing out. I watched as the buildings crumbled, crushing everything in it's path, and covering the area with grey blanket of dust. I remember, praying rosary after rosary for those in the buildings, the  people trying to do their jobs, the children who went to school across the street, and in all that carnage I saw the church which stood not damaged in any way. It gave me hope. Hope that there were survivors, hope that whomever did this would be caught. 

Then another report came, a plane crashed into the Pentagon. The Pentagon, the symbol of our armed forces, the symbol of the men and women who choose to put on a uniform and serve OUR country, OUR flag. I watched as firefighters once again rushed in as others ran out. Again, I prayed for survivors.

Then another report, of a plane going down in a field, crashing because four men chose to give up their lives to save another target in Washington, DC. These four men, came together, formed a plan, charged the cockpit knowing that they may not, would not survive but they would save lives. Again, I prayed. 

I called my daughter's school. The school was on "lock down" meaning that all of the school children were together in the gymnasium, some of them not knowing what was going on. But knowing "something" was very wrong. My girlfriend picked up her son and my daughter that day from school, she held both of them tight, that night as she watched the news with my mother and I she asked, "Why?" and I could not give her an answer. Today we know the answer to that question.

I put up my flag that day, I kept it up day and night. I bought socks and t-shirts that were given to the rescue people who came from all over the U.S. to do their part. They worked tirelessly for days and weeks looking for survivors, then looking for the fallen. I watched young men and women walk into recruiting centers to volunteer to serve our country, knowing full well they would be going to a war they may never come back from. I went to prayer services, I held hands with others as we prayed for those lost that day, and for the United States. 

I have not forgotten that day, I truly doubt I ever will. I shaped how I travel, how much has changed when I buy a train ticket. How much the New York skyline has changed. As the new "Freedom Tower" rises like a phoenix from the ashes, I will never forget being a teenager, standing at ground level and looking up at the twin towers at amazement. I will never forget how I feel when I walked by the new site, while it is amazing, for me it reminds me that we will never be "innocent" again.

To the Firefighters, EMT's, Police Officers, & Armed Forces, "THANK YOU". You are all in my thoughts and prayers this day and every day.